Ablation device with jaws

ABSTRACT

System, device and method for ablating target tissue adjacent pulmonary veins of a patient through an incision. An ablation device can include a hinge including a cam assembly, a moving arm, a floating jaw, and a lower jaw. Fingers can engage the floating jaw to hold the floating jaw in a first position with respect to the moving arm. Some embodiments of the invention can provide an ablation device including a central support, an upper four-bar linkage coupled to the central support, an upper jaw coupled to the upper linkage, a lower four-bar linkage coupled to the central support, and a lower jaw coupled to the lower linkage. Some embodiments of the invention can provide an ablation device having an upper jaw including a first cannula connection and a lower jaw including a second cannula connection. The system can include a first catheter coupled to the first cannula connection and a second catheter coupled to the second cannula connection. The first and second catheters can be inserted through the incision and can move the upper and lower jaws adjacent the pulmonary veins.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present non-provisional patent application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/499,356, filed Jul. 8, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,875,028 which application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/142,954, filed Jun. 2, 2005, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,566,334, which application claims priority under 35 USC 119(e) from commonly owned provisional U.S. patent application having Ser. No. 60/576,096 filed on Jun. 2, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and titled “Ablation clamp with self adjusting jaws”, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

This application also claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/581,139 filed on Jun. 18, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is generally directed to ablating cardiac tissue with a minimally-invasive procedure.

BACKGROUND

The interest in ablation practice has been to use minimally-invasive techniques to ease patient recovery. Bipolar ablation devices have been used extensively to deliver linear lesions accurately to tissue especially for the purpose of reducing the effect of atrial fibrillations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments of the invention provide an ablation device for ablating target tissue adjacent pulmonary veins of a patient. The ablation device can include a hinge including a cam assembly, and the cam assembly can include one or more riders and one or more fingers. The ablation device can include a moving arm coupled to the hinge. The moving arm can include a cam surface that engages the riders. A floating jaw can be coupled to the moving arm. The fingers can engage the floating jaw to hold the floating jaw in a first position with respect to the moving arm. The floating jaw can include a first electrode that receives ablation energy. A lower jaw can be coupled to the hinge. The lower jaw can include a channel that receives the fingers. The channel can allow the floating jaw to move to a second position with respect to the moving arm. The lower jaw can include a second electrode that receives ablation energy.

Embodiments of the invention can provide an ablation device including a central support, an upper four-bar linkage coupled to the central support, and an upper jaw coupled to the upper linkage. The upper jaw can include an upper electrode that can receive ablation energy. The ablation device can also include a lower four-bar linkage coupled to the central support and a lower jaw coupled to the lower linkage. The lower jaw can include a lower electrode that can receive ablation energy.

One embodiment of a method of the invention can include providing an ablation device with one or more floating jaws including one or more electrodes, locking the floating jaws, and inserting the floating jaws into a side of the patient. The method can also include approaching the pulmonary veins substantially directly from the side of the patient with the floating jaws. The method can further include unlocking the floating jaws, articulating the floating jaws with respect to a central support to accommodate target tissue adjacent the pulmonary veins, and providing ablation energy to the electrodes.

One embodiment of the invention can provide an ablation system for ablating target tissue adjacent pulmonary veins of a patient through an incision in the patient. The ablation system can include an ablation tool having a handle, an upper jaw, a lower jaw, and a hinged connection. The upper jaw can include a first cannula connection, and the lower jaw can include a second cannula connection. One or more electrodes can be coupled to the upper jaw and/or the lower jaw. The electrode can receive ablation energy. The ablation system can also include a first catheter coupled to the first cannula connection. The first catheter can be inserted through the incision and can move the upper jaw adjacent the pulmonary veins. The second catheter can be coupled to the second cannula connection. The second catheter can be inserted through the incision and can move the lower jaw adjacent the pulmonary veins.

One embodiment of a method of the invention can include inserting a first catheter through an incision and positioning the first catheter on a first side of the pulmonary veins, and inserting a second catheter through the incision and positioning the second catheter on a second side of the pulmonary veins. The method can also include coupling an upper jaw of an ablation tool to the first catheter, and coupling a lower jaw of the ablation tool to the second catheter. The method can further include moving the upper jaw adjacent the pulmonary veins with the first catheter, and moving the lower jaw adjacent the pulmonary veins with the second catheter. The method can still further include providing ablation energy to one or more electrodes coupled to the upper jaw and/or the lower jaw.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a patient's heart and a schematic view of an ablation device according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 2A-2F are perspective views of an ablation device according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 3A-3E are side and schematic views of an ablation device according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 4A-4E are side and perspective views of an ablation device according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 5A-5D are side and perspective views of an ablation device according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 6A-6B are side and schematic views of an ablation device according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 7A-7I are side and schematic views of an ablation device according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 8A-8E are side and schematic views of an ablation device according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an ablation device according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a distal end of the ablation device of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a patient's heart with the ablation device of FIG. 9 in a closed position and coupled to catheters inserted near pulmonary veins.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a patient's heart with the ablation device of FIG. 1 in an open position and coupled to catheters inserted near pulmonary veins.

FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of two ablation devices inserted adjacent pulmonary veins in a patient's heart.

FIG. 14 is another schematic illustration of two ablation devices inserted adjacent pulmonary veins in a patient's heart.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limited. The use of “including,” “comprising” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The terms “mounted,” “connected” and “coupled” are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mounting, connecting and coupling. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings, and can include electrical connections or couplings, whether direct or indirect.

Some embodiments of a method of the invention provide the insertion of an ablation device having one or more electrodes on opposing jaws for clamping cardiac tissue. The electrodes can be energized with radio frequency or other energy to cause cell destruction. Some embodiments of the ablation device include jaws that can be held in place with respect to support arms, while the jaws are placed in predetermined locations along the tissue to be ablated. As the jaws are brought together, the jaws can be released from their retention position and can be allowed to float with respect to pivot points on a clamp frame in order to securely bear against and ablate the target tissue with the electrodes carried by the jaws. In one embodiment, links coupled to the jaws are spring biased to allow the jaws to move when an overriding force exerted from the clamping force overcomes the spring force.

Some embodiments of the ablation device can include a clamp-type jaw closure, including a jaw with some limited “float” to accommodate varying tissue thickness. When the jaws are fully opened, the floating jaw can be locked to prevent relative movement that could impede insertion of the ablation device into the patient's cavity. As the jaws are closed, the floating jaw can be allowed more and more relative movement to accommodate the target tissue. In some embodiments, the jaws can articulate left and right with inputs from a handle to allow additional adjustment relative to the target tissue. These additional adjustments can require bilateral access. However, the bilateral access can be achieved through ports, eliminating the need for a thoracotomy.

In one embodiment, the ablation device can include a hinge having a cam surface and one or more riders. In some embodiments, the riders can be coupled to a fixed jaw and the cam surface can be coupled to a floating jaw. In one embodiment, the cam surface can be coupled to a moving arm coupled to the floating jaw. When the jaws are separated by an angle larger than a predefined acute angle, the floating jaw can be maintained in an unyielding angular relation to the fixed jaw. As the angle between the jaws approaches the predefined acute angle, the riders and the cam surface can separate to allow the floating jaw to move with respect to the fixed jaw. The floating jaw can then bear against the target tissue at the most advantageous angle to provide maximum contact between the electrodes on the jaws and the target tissue.

Some embodiments of the ablation device can be used to approach the left pulmonary veins from a port on the left side of the patient and the right pulmonary veins from a port on the right side of the patient. Rather than approaching the pulmonary veins from an inferior or superior point as in an open chest procedure, some embodiments of the ablation device can be used to approach the pulmonary veins directly from the side.

In some embodiments, the ablation device can include two jaws that can be inserted into the patient separately and then assembled in place. This provides a simple process for insertion of the ablation device, because the surgeon can concentrate on one jaw at a time. The first jaw can be inserted from a right thoracotomy through a previously-dissected pericardial reflection under the superior vena cava into the transverse sinus until the first jaw is hooked around the left pulmonary veins into the oblique sinus. The second jaw can be inserted through the right thoracotomy below the inferior vena cava through the previously-dissected pericardial reflection and then attached to the first jaw to form a complete ablation device. Ablation can be performed in two steps. Using independent jaw closure mechanisms, the first jaw can be closed and actuated. Once the first jaw is open, the second jaw can be closed and actuated. In this manner, only half of the pulmonary veins are occluded at any given time.

Some embodiments of the invention can be used to clamp cardiac tissue and carry electrodes used to deliver radio frequency energy during an ablation procedure. Embodiments of the ablation device can include a linkage that can provide a spring-biased movement of clamping members. Clamping can start at a distal end and move progressively toward a proximal end of the clamping members. Some embodiments of the invention can provide a minimal envelope size relative to the clamping capacity. Some embodiments of the invention can be used for effectors of an ablation device. Embodiments of the invention can also be used for other applications requiring tissue clamping or manipulation. Embodiments of the ablation device can include a distal end for use in minimally-invasive cardiac surgery or in conventional cardiac surgery. For the minimally-invasive cardiac surgeries, the ablation device can include dual floating jaws. For conventional cardiac surgeries, the ablation device can include a single floating jaw and one fixed jaw. Some embodiments of the invention can include an ablation device that is spring biased or elastically biased for parallel jaw action. Embodiments of the ablation device can have a minimal size relative to the clamping capacity. Some embodiments of the ablation device provide distal to proximal progressive clamping action. Some embodiments of the ablation device can include an increased gap at a vertex of a proximal end of a jaw assembly.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of two ablation devices 100 positioned within a patient's heart around pulmonary veins 13. Each one of the ablation devices 100 can include a hinge 10, a lower jaw 14, and a floating jaw 20. One ablation device 100 can be inserted into the patient's heart from a port on the patient's left side, and another ablation device 100 can be inserted into the patient's heart from a port on the patient's right side. In some embodiments, one or more ablation devices 100 can be used to access the pulmonary veins 13 from the sides of the patient through ports, which can eliminate the need for a thoracotomy. In other embodiments, one or more ablation devices 100 can be used in combination with a thoracotomy.

As shown in FIGS. 2A-2F, a drawbridge concept can incorporate a bilateral bipolar clamp into an ablation device 100 that can be used for a single-sided approach. The ablation device 100 can be used through a port on only the right side of the patient. However, the ablation device 100 can also be used through a right thoracotomy.

FIGS. 2A-2F illustrate an ablation device 100 including a hinge 10, a cam assembly 12, a lower jaw 14, one or more riders 16, a cam surface 18, a floating jaw 20, a moving arm 24, one or more fingers 26, a channel 28, and a swivel attachment 30. The moving arm 24 can be coupled to the floating jaw 20 by the swivel attachment 30. The hinge 10 can include the cam assembly 12 that can be coupled to the lower jaw 14. The cam assembly 12 can include the riders 16 and the fingers 26. The lower jaw 14 can be fixed with respect to the hinge 10 and can include the channel 28. The moving arm 24 can include the cam surface 18. The riders 16 can engage the cam surface 18 on the moving arm 24. The fingers 26 can bear against the floating jaw 20 to hold the floating jaw 20 in relation to the moving arm 24 and the lower jaw 14. As an angle between the floating jaw 20 and the lower jaw 14 reaches a predefined acute angle, the fingers 26 on the cam assembly 12 can recess into the channel 28 of the lower jaw 14 and can disengage from the floating jaw 20, allowing the floating jaw 20 to pivot about the swivel attachment 30.

FIG. 2A illustrates the ablation device 100 with the lower jaw 14 substantially in contact with the floating jaw 20. In the position shown in FIG. 2A, the ablation device 100 can be inserted into the patient's body through a port or a thoracotomy. FIG. 2B illustrates the hinge 10 in a substantially closed position. FIG. 2C is an exploded view of the hinge 10 in the substantially closed position. The fingers 26 of the cam assembly 12 can bear against the floating jaw 20 to hold it in relation to the moving arm 24. As the predefined acute angle between the floating jaw 20 and the lower jaw 14 is reached, the fingers 26 of the cam assembly 12 can engage the channel 28 on the lower jaw 14. The fingers 26 can then disengage from the floating jaw 20 in order to allow the floating jaw 20 to pivot about the swivel attachment 30.

As shown in FIG. 2C, the hinge 10 can include an aperture 112 that can receive a protrusion 114 of a neck 102. FIG. 2D illustrates the ablation device 100 including the neck 102, a collar 104, a hinge assembly 106, a thumb ring 108, and a trigger 110. In some embodiments, the ablation device 100 can be rotated about the hinge assembly 106. In some embodiments, the surgeon can place his or her thumb through the thumb ring 108 and his or her fingers through the trigger 110. The trigger 110 can be coupled via a wire or a cable (not shown) to the floating jaw 20 and the moving arm 24 in order to control the movement of the floating arm 20 and/or the moving arm 24. FIG. 2E illustrates the ablation device 100 in a substantially open position. FIG. 2F illustrates the ablation device 100 in a partially-open position.

FIGS. 3A-3E illustrate all embodiment of an ablation device 100 including an upper jaw 200 and a lower jaw 202. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the upper jaw 200 can be positioned in a parallel relationship to the law jaw 202 about an axis 204. The upper jaw 200 can be positioned a distance d₁ from the lower jaw 202, with the distance d₁ being within a range of approximately 12 mm to approximately 15 mm. The outer portions of the upper jaw 200 and the lower jaw 202 can be separated by a distance d₂. FIG. 3B illustrates an embodiment of the ablation device 100 including the upper jaw 200 and the lower jaw 202 coupled to a central support 206. The upper jaw 200 can be coupled to the central support 206 with an upper four-bar linkage 208. The lower jaw 202 can be coupled to the central support 206 with a lower four-bar linkage 210.

FIG. 3C illustrates forces on a four-bar linkage 208 or 210, with the grounded portion indicating the position of the central support 206. FIG. 3D illustrates a distance d₃ between the central support 206 and the upper jaw 200 and the lower jaw 202. The distance d₃ can represent a distance occupied by the upper four-bar linkage 208 and/or the lower four-bar linkage 210. FIG. 3E illustrates the upper jaw 200 coupled to an upper four-bar linkage 208 that can be biased with a spring 212 and can include an aperture 214. The aperture 214 can receive a first pin 216. The four-bar linkage 208 can pivot about a pivot point 218. A second pin 220 can be coupled between the upper jaw 200 and the upper four-bar linkage 208. The spring 212 can include a coil spring, a torsional spring, a beam spring, or any other suitable biasing member. The spring 212 can bias the upper jaw 200 to a near parallel position with the lower jaw 202 when the jaws are in their open position. Due to the configuration of the aperture 214, the upper jaw 200 can begin a clamping action at its distal end and can finish the clamping action at its proximal end. The upper four-bar linkage 208 can be designed in order to limit rotation in a downward direction. In some embodiments, the upper jaw 200 can be a moveable jaw, while the lower jaw 202 can be fixed. In other embodiments, both the upper jaw 200 and the lower jaw 202 can move.

FIGS. 4A-4E illustrate another embodiment of the ablation device 100 including a movable upper jaw 200 and a movable lower jaw 202. In one embodiment, the upper jaw 200 and/or the lower jaw 202 can be constructed of a substantially malleable material. The upper jaw 200 can be connected to a central support 206 by an upper four-bar linkage 208. The upper four-bar linkage 208 can include a first aperture 214, which can receive a first pin 216. The upper four-bar linkage 208 can also be coupled to the upper jaw 200 with a second pin 220. The upper four-bar linkage 208 can be coupled to the central support 206 and can pivot about a first pivot 218. The lower jaw 202 can be coupled to the central support 206 with a lower four-bar linkage 210. The lower four-bar linkage can include a second aperture 222 that can receive a third pin 224. The lower four-bar linkage 210 can also be coupled to the lower jaw 202 with a fourth pin 226. The lower four-bar linkage 210 can pivot with respect to the central support 206 via a second pivot 228. The ablation device 100 can also include a cable or wire 230 which can be positioned around the first pivot 218 and the second pivot 228 and can continue through the central support 206. Proximal ends of the wire or cable 230 can be connected to an actuator device (not shown).

FIG. 4B illustrates the upper jaw 200 in its open position and the lower jaw 202 in its closed position. First pin 216 can be located in an upper portion of the first aperture 214 when the upper jaw 200 is in its open position. The first pin 216 can be biased into the upper portion of the first aperture 214 by a spring or other biasing member, which can make a distal end 232 of the upper jaw 200 come into contact with the target tissue first. The third pin 224 is shown in FIG. 4B in an upper position within the second aperture 222 when the lower jaw 202 is in its closed position. In this manner, the upper jaw 200 and the lower jaw 202 can be constrained by the movement of the first pin 216 within the first aperture 214 and the third pin 224 within the second aperture 222. The first aperture 214 and the second aperture 222 can be designed to provide any desirable gap between the upper jaw 200 and the lower jaw 202. The first aperture 214 and the second aperture 222 can be designed in order to provide a distance d between the second pin 220 and the fourth pin 226 when the upper jaw 200 is in its open position and the lower jaw 202 is in its closed position. This distance d can represent a forward travel of the upper and lower jaws in their closed positions. The cable or wire 230 can provide a means to index the upper jaw 200 and lower jaw 202 relative to a handle (not shown) coupled to the central support 206.

FIG. 4C is a line diagram of the ablation apparatus 100, while FIG. 4D is a solid model diagram of the ablation device 100. FIG. 4D illustrates that the upper four-bar linkage 208 and the lower four-bar linkage 210 can each include two links. For example, the upper four-bar linkage 208 can include a first link 234 and a second link 236, and the lower four-bar linkage 210 can include a third link 238 and a fourth link 240. The four-bar linkages 208 and 210 with multiple links can also include the appropriate number of apertures and pins in order to couple the four-bar linkages to the central support 206 and the upper jaw 200 and the lower jaw 202. However, some embodiments of the ablation device 100 can include only a single link for the upper four-bar linkage 208 and/or only a single link for the lower four-bar linkage 210. FIG. 4E is another solid model diagram of the ablation device 100. FIG. 4E also illustrates the upper four-bar linkage 208 including two links and the lower four-bar linkage 210 including two links.

FIGS. 5A through 5D illustrate an embodiment of the ablation device 100 including an upper four-bar linkage 208 and a lower four-bar linkage 210 with stop members 248 and 250 positioned within recesses 252 and 254. The upper stop member 248 can be included within the upper four-bar linkage 208, and the upper recess 252 can be included in the upper jaw 200. The lower stop member 250 can be included in the lower four-bar linkage 210, and the lower recess 254 can be included in the lower jaw 202. The configurations of the upper four-bar linkage 208 and the lower four-bar linkage 210 along with the upper and lower stop members 248 and 250 can allow the ablation device 100 to be in a closed position having a smaller distance d₁ between the upper jaw 200 and the lower jaw 202. The smaller distance d₁ between the upper jaw 200 and the lower jaw 202 can allow the ablation device 100 to be inserted into a smaller port in the patient's side.

FIG. 5B illustrates the upper jaw 200 and the lower jaw 202 in their open positions with a distance d₂ between the upper jaw 200 and the lower jaw 202. The distance d₁ shown in FIG. 5A can be approximately 2 mm, in some embodiments. The distance d₂ shown in FIG. 5B can be approximately 15 mm, in some embodiments. FIGS. 5C and 5D are solid model diagrams of the ablation apparatus 100. FIGS. 5C and 5D illustrate that the upper four-bar linkage 208 and the lower four-bar linkage 210 can each be constructed of two links. For example, the upper four-bar linkage 208 can include a first link 234 and a second link 236, and the lower four-bar linkage 210 can include a third link 238 and a fourth link 240. As shown in FIG. 5C, the stop members 248 and 250 can be pins that can join the two links of the four-bar linkages. For example, the stop member 250 can join the third link 238 to the fourth link 240 of the lower four-bar linkage 210.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate an embodiment of the wire or cable 230 wrapped around portions of the upper four-bar linkage 208 and the lower four-bar linkage 210. FIG. 6A also illustrates the use of a first spring 242 and a second spring 244 in order to bias the upper jaw 200 and the lower jaw 202. In some embodiments, the first spring 242 and the second spring 244 can bias the upper jaw 200 and the lower jaw 202 into their open positions so that the first pin 216 is in an uppermost position within the first aperture 214 and the third pin 224 is in a lowermost portion within the second aperture 222. FIG. 6A also illustrates a flexible spacer 246 that can be positioned between the upper jaw 200 and the lower jaw 202 in order to prevent tissue from being caught within the moving parts of the upper four-bar linkage 208 and the lower four-bar linkage 210. In some embodiments, the cable 230 can be split near a clevis in order to run the cable 230 on both sides of the upper jaw 200 and the lower jaw 202, for example, in order to run the cable 230 from top to bottom or from bottom to top. In some embodiments, the upper jaw 200 and the lower jaw 202 can be placed at an offset position (e.g., side-by-side) in order to reduce an overall height when introducing the ablation device 100 into the patients body.

FIGS. 7A-7I illustrate alternative embodiments of the ablation device 100. FIG. 7A illustrates an ablation device 100 including an upper jaw 200, a lower jaw 202, an upper four-bar linkage 208, a lower four-bar linkage 210, and a cable 230 coupled between the upper and lower four-bar linkages 208, 210. The cable 230 can be wrapped around a first pivot 218 and then connected to the lower four-bar linkage 210, and then the same cable 230 can be wrapped around a second pivot 228 and connected to the upper four-bar linkage 218. In this manner, the cable 230 can form a cross-over cable system. Decreasing an angle of the cross-over cable system can increase the closing force between the upper jaw 200 and the lower jaw 202. FIG. 7B illustrates one embodiment of the cable 230 in a cross-over cable configuration.

FIG. 7C illustrates one embodiment of the cable 230 in a triangular configuration. A force exerted on the cable 230 can generate a force in along the X axis F, and a force along the Y axis F_(y). FIG. 7D illustrates another configuration for the cable 230. The cable 230 can wrap around any suitable pivots or pins, such as the first pivot 218 and the second pivot 228. FIG. 7E illustrates another embodiment of a cross-over cable system. FIG. 7F illustrates the forces and the positions at which the cable 230 can be grounded in one embodiment of a cable system. FIGS. 7G and 7H schematically illustrate the cable 230 connected to a link of the upper four-bar linkage 208 and a link of the lower four-bar linkage 210. A higher force can be exerted by the links as shown in FIG. 7G, and a lower force can be exerted by the links as shown in FIG. 7H. FIG. 7I illustrates that, in some embodiments, the upper jaw 200 and/or the lower jaw 202 can be allowed to rotate plus or minus 30 degrees without binding the cable 230 or the cross-over cable system. In other embodiments, the cable 230 and/or a cable system can include other members, such as a toggle, a cam, or a pulley system.

FIGS. 8A-8E illustrate an embodiment of the ablation apparatus 100 including a gear 256, a stop member 258, and a socket 260. The gear 256 can include teeth that can cooperate with corresponding recesses on the socket 260 in order to perform an indexing feature for the upper jaw 200 and the lower jaw 202. The stop member 258 can prevent the gear 256 from traveling beyond a predetermined position. The upper jaw 200 and/or the lower jaw 202 can be spring loaded into an open position. Distal ends 232 of the upper jaw 200 and the lower jaw 202 can contact one another first once the spring bias has been overcome. The upper jaw 200 and the lower jaw 202 can clamp into contact progressively from the distal end 232 to their proximal ends 262.

FIG. 8B illustrates that the gear 256 and the socket 260 can have a ratchet and detent configuration in order to set an angle between the upper jaw 200 and the lower jaw 202 relative to the central port 206. The angle can be plus or minus 30 degrees, in some embodiments. FIG. 8C illustrates one embodiment of a U-shaped spring 264 that can be coupled between the upper jaw 200 and the lower jaw 202. FIG. 8D illustrates an embodiment of a torsional spring 266 that can be coupled to a ground, which can represent the central support 206 and one or more pivot points on the upper jaw 200. FIG. 8E illustrates another embodiment of the torsional spring 266 that can be coupled to the upper jaw 200 around various pins.

FIG. 9 illustrates an ablation tool 310 according to one embodiment of the invention. The ablation tool 310 can be used in conjunction with first and second catheters in an ablation system, as shown and described with respect to FIGS. 11 and 12. In some embodiments of the invention, the ablation tool 310 can be a bipolar bilateral ablation tool. The ablation tool 310 can include a handle 312, jaws 314, and a hinged connection 316. The handle 312 can be used by a surgeon to orient and close the jaws 314. The handle 312 can include a first circular portion 352 that can receive a surgeon's thumb and a second circular portion 354 that can receive one or more of a surgeon's fingers. The handle 312 can also include a hinge 356 coupled to a collar 358. The ablation tool 310 can include an elongated neck 360. The collar 358 of the handle 312 can be coupled to the elongated neck 360. The elongated neck 360 can have a length sufficient to reach target tissue 315 within a patient's heart from an incision 342 (as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12).

The jaws 314 can include an upper jaw 318 and a lower jaw 320. The upper jaw 318 and the lower jaw 320 can be coupled to the hinged connection 316. The upper jaw 318 can include a first cannula connection 322, a body portion 328, lateral supports 362, and a central support 364. The lateral supports 362 can be movably coupled to the hinged connection 316. The central support 364 can be movably coupled to the lateral supports 362. The central support 364 can be rigidly coupled or integral with the body 328. The first cannula connection 322 can include a nipple 326 and can be rigidly coupled or integral with the central support 364. As shown in FIG. 10, the nipple 326 of the first cannula connection 322 can extend axially from and be aligned with the body portion 328 of the upper jaw 318. The upper jaw 318 can also include one or more upper electrodes (not shown). The one or more upper electrodes can be coupled to one or more of the body 328, the lateral supports 362, and the central support 364.

The lower jaw 320 can include a second cannula connection 324 and a body portion 368. The second cannula connection 324 can include a nipple 330 on a distal end 332 of the lower jaw 320. The nipple 330 can be aligned axially with the body portion 368 of the lower jaw 320. The lower jaw 320 can also include one or more electrodes 370 coupled to the body portion 368.

The first cannula connection 322 and the second cannula connection 324 can include any suitable connector or fastener that can mate with any suitable connector or fastener on the first and second catheters 344, 346. For example, the first and second cannula connections 322, 324 can include any suitable type of male protrusions or female recesses that can mate with corresponding female recesses and male protrusions, respectively, on the first and second catheters 344, 346. For example, press-fit connections, threaded connections, clasps, pins, clamps, sheaths, collars, or any combination thereof, can be used to connect the jaws 314 to the first and second catheters 344, 346.

In some embodiments, the first cannula connection 322 and the second cannula connection 324 can be combined in a single nipple (not shown) that can be bifurcated across both the upper jaw 318 and the lower jaw 320.

In some embodiments, the ablation tool 310 can include one or more electrodes on the upper jaw 318 and one or more electrodes 370 on the lower jaw 320 for a bipolar bilateral ablation device. The ablation tool 310 can use the hinged connection 316 to balance contact across the target tissue 315 between the jaws 314. In other embodiments, the ablation tool can include one or more electrodes on only the upper jaw 318 or the lower jaw 320 for a monopolar unilateral ablation device.

FIG. 11 illustrates the nipple 326 of the upper jaw 318 coupled to a first catheter 344 and the nipple 330 of the lower jaw 320 coupled to a second catheter 346. The first catheter 344 can be fed through a cavity 340 of the patient and out the incision 342 (e.g., in the patient's side). The first catheter 344 can be positioned along a first path in order to bring the upper jaw 18 into engagement with the target tissue 315. The second catheter 346 can be fed along a second path on an opposite side of the target tissue 315. The second catheter 346 can be positioned along the second path in order to bring the lower jaw 320 into engagement with the target tissue 315.

According to one method of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the first catheter 344 and the second catheter 346 can be directed through the incision 342 into a patient's cavity until their central portions are adjacent the target tissue 315. The distal portions of the first catheter 344 and the second catheter 346 can then be directed onward and out of the patient's body cavity. The first catheter 344 can include a first proximal end 348 and the second catheter 346 can include a second proximal end 350. The first and second proximal ends 348, 350 can be in position to extend from the incision 342 before the ablation tool 310 is coupled to the first and second catheters 344, 346. The first and second proximal ends 348, 350 can be connected to the upper and lower jaws 318, 320 of the ablation tool 310. The first and second catheters 344, 346 can be pulled back into and through the patient's cavity in order to pull the ablation device 310 into the patient's cavity. The first and second catheters 344, 346 protect the patient's tissue during the insertion of the ablation tool 310 into the patient's cavity and provide a predefined path for the insertion. More specifically, the first and second catheters 344, 346 can protect the patient's tissue from being poked or dissected by the jaws 314 of the ablation tool 310 during insertion of the ablation tool 310 into the patient's cavity. The first and second catheters 344, 346 can also guide the jaws 314 of the ablation tool 310 until the jaws 314 are adjacent the target tissue 315. Ablation energy (e.g., radio frequency energy, thermal energy, cryogenic energy, microwave energy, etc.) can be provided to the one or more electrodes 370 coupled to the upper jaw 318 and/or the lower jaw 320.

After a first ablation is complete, the ablation tool 310 can be retracted from a first side of the patient's heart and then inserted along the opposite ends of the first and second catheters 344, 346 in order to ablate a second side of the patient's heart along the pulmonary veins or other target tissue 315.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate multiple ablations and approaches that can be achieved using one or more ablation tools 310. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, one ablation tool 310 can be positioned to ablate tissue adjacent the right pulmonary veins, and another ablation tool 310 can be positioned to ablate tissue adjacent the left pulmonary veins. As shown in FIG. 13, the neck 360 of the ablation tool 310 can be positioned through a sixth intercostal incision and can be positioned at approximately a right angle with respect to the jaws 314. As shown in FIG. 14, the neck 360 of the ablation tool 310 can be positioned through a third intercostal incision and can be positioned along substantially the same axis as the jaws 314.

Various additional features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims. 

1. A method of ablating target tissue adjacent pulmonary veins of a patient, the method comprising: providing an ablation device with at least one floating jaw including at least one electrode; locking the at least one floating jaw; inserting the at least one floating jaw into a side of the patient; approaching the pulmonary veins substantially directly from the side of the patient with the at least one floating jaw; unlocking the at least one floating jaw; articulating the at least one floating jaw with respect to a central support to accommodate target tissue adjacent the pulmonary veins; and providing ablation energy to the at least one electrode.
 2. The method of claim 1 and further comprising allowing the floating jaw to float with respect to pivot points.
 3. The method of claim 1 and further comprising biasing the floating jaw with respect to the central support.
 4. The method of claim 1 and further comprising providing two floating jaws.
 5. The method of claim 1 and further comprising providing at fixed jaw.
 6. The method of claim 1 and further comprising providing ablation energy including at least one of radio frequency energy, thermal energy, cryogenic energy, and microwave energy.
 7. A method of ablating target tissue adjacent pulmonary veins of a patient through an incision in the patient, the method comprising: inserting a first catheter through the incision and positioning the first catheter on a first side of the pulmonary veins; inserting a second catheter through the incision and positioning the second catheter on a second side of the pulmonary veins; coupling an upper jaw of an ablation tool to the first catheter; coupling a lower jaw of the ablation tool to the second catheter; moving the upper jaw adjacent the pulmonary veins with the first catheter; moving the lower jaw adjacent the pulmonary veins with the second catheter; and providing ablation energy to at least one electrode coupled to at least one of the upper jaw and the lower jaw.
 8. The method of claim 7 and further comprising connecting a nipple of at least one of the upper jaw and the lower jaw to at least one of the first catheter and the second catheter.
 9. The method of claim 7 and further comprising providing ablation energy including at least one of radio frequency energy, thermal energy, microwave energy, and cryogenic energy.
 10. The method of claim 7 and further comprising performing bipolar ablation.
 11. The method of claim 7 and further comprising moving a body of the upper jaw with respect to at least one of lateral supports and a central support of the upper jaw.
 12. The method of claim 7 and further comprising moving at least one of the upper jaw and the lower jaw within at least one plane with respect to a hinge connection of the ablation tool.
 13. The method of claim 7 and further comprising inserting the first catheter and the second catheter through at least one of a third intercostal incision and a sixth intercostal incision. 